The multidrug resistivity (MDR) of opportunistic microorganisms is still a major concern which requires the development of a new efficient drug with fewer side effects that can be added to the antifungal armamentarium. This study is the first to report the antifungal nature of proteins purified from the hemolymph of Zygogramma bicolorata, immunized with Micrococcus luteus (MTCC 106) and Escherichia coli (MTCC 443). Immunized hemolymph was assayed for antimicrobial sensitivity against pathogens, Candida albicans (ITCC 4718) and Aspergillus niger (ITCC 5479) by disc diffusion method. The crude extract of hemolymph was separated and purified into fractions by low-pressure size exclusion chromatography using a Sephadex G-25 column. Protein estimation for crude fraction was performed by Lowry's method followed by the assessment of antifungal activity. The study revealed that four fractions (fraction 6, 9, 11 and 15) out of 30 fractions exhibited activity against the test organisms and accommodated high and low molecular weight proteins/peptides of 120, 100, 90 and 66 kDa and two relatively low molecular weight polypeptides (36 and 18 kDa) respectively. Being MDR in dire matter, the efficacy of the drug is momentous.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the toxicological effect on antioxidant defense system in Monopterus cuchia induced by commercial formulation of Glyphosate EXCEL MERA 71. In the study, fish were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of 1 and 2 mg L−1. LC50 value for glyphosate at 96 h exposure could not be determined because no fish mortality was observed even at the maximum concentration tested 200 mg. After 6, 24, 96 and 168 h of L−1 exposure, there were significant decrease in the level of red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration and a significant increase in white blood cells count in both treated groups. The enzyme alanine aminotransferase decreased whereas aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase showed increase in comparison to control which were analyzed in serum. The fish showed transient decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and the non-enzymatic antioxidant reduced glutathione showed repressed activity after glyphosate exposure. However, glutathione-S-transferase activity significantly increased in kidney and intestine and decreased in liver in treated groups. Moreover, the present study also investigated the possible stimulation of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) mRNA and glyphosate exposure led to a significant increase in the levels of mRNA transcript in liver and kidney.

In present study the effect of oral administration of imidacloprid over two generations on the ovary of female Wistar rats was assessed. Female rats were divided into 3 groups. Group 1, as control, was given corn oil only while imidacloprid was administered in group 2 and 3 @ 10 and 20 mg kg−1 bw day1, respectively. A disruption in estrous cyclicity was observed with a prolonged diestrous in both F1 and F2 generation. The weight of ovary decreased significantly in treated female rats of F2 generation. Histopathology of ovary of groups 2 and 3 revealed different stages of follicles. Percentage atresia of follicles was found higher in treated rat ovaries as compared to their respective control rats in both the generations. The results indicate that no observed effect level of imidacloprid for two generations female reproductive toxicity is 10 mg kg−1 bw day−1.

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of contrasting tillage systems viz., no-tillage, reduced tillage and conventional tillage with four cropping systems viz., soybean + pigeon pea (2:1), soybean - wheat, maize + pigeon pea (1:1) and maize - chickpea on yields and soil quality in a Vertisols of Central India. Surface soil samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical properties. Correlation analysis of seven soil physicochemical attributes showed a significant correlation in eight (P < 0.01) and four (P < 0.05) attribute pairs out of the 49 soil attribute pairs. The results revealed that the soil properties such as soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity, organic carbon, mean weight diameter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium were influenced by tillage and cropping systems. Evaluation of soil quality using soil quality index (SQI) under different tillage and cropping system showed that soil quality was better in maize + pigeon pea (1:1) and soybean + pigeon pea (2:1) under reduced tillage and no tillage as compared to the other systems. The tillage that caused destructive effects on soil quality should be discouraged for long-term cultivation to maintain good soil health for sustainable agricultural production. The value of SQI was positively and significantly correlated with soybean grain equivalent yield for all the tillage and cropping system. This indicates that the index parameters may be used for computing the soil quality under different management practices.

A field experiment was conducted to study effect of sowing dates, varieties and weed control methods on growth, yield and water productivity of direct seeded rice (DSR) in a split plot design. Crop growth rates were higher during 60–90 DAS and were positively correlated with grain yield. Grain yield of DSR sown on the day of nursery sowing was at par with transplanted rice. It saved 69 cm irrigation water and increased irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) by 41.3%. Rice cv. ‘PR 115’ recorded higher IWUE than cv. ‘PAU 201’ but had a statistically similar grain yield. Higher IWUE, water expense efficiency (WEE) and grain yield was recorded in three hand-weedings as compared to the sequential application of pre-and post-emergence herbicides. DSR sown on day of nursery sowing, coupled with short duration variety (PR 115) and three hand weedings produced statistically similar grain yield with higher IWUE as compared to transplanted crop.

Mutagenic effects of three concentrations of ethyl methane sulphonate [EMS] (0.1, 0.15 and 0.20%) to improve floral, foliar, corm and quality attributes in saffron was evaluated. A considerable genetic variability was observed among the mutagenic lines created with 0.15 and 0.20% EMS dose with significant shift in mean values in positive direction for almost all the traits studied. Identification of 64 mutant lines from available population of 660 lines confirmed highest mutagenic frequency of 43.75% by 0.15% EMS followed by 0.2% EMS (42.18%); whereas 0.10% EMS showed least mutagenic frequency. Component analysis showed medium to high GCV values for most of the traits confirming variability of genetic nature thereby implying that clonal selection has paramount significance in the identification of elite lines. Divergence analysis grouped 92% mutagenic lines in cluster 1 followed by 6.1% in cluster 2 and 1.5% in cluster 3. Maximum contribution towards divergence of most of the traits was recorded by lines ‘SS/EMS-3/113’, ‘SS/EMS-3/132’, ‘SS/EMS-3/130’ and ‘SS/EMS-1/219’. Per se performance studies identified 18 extraordinary lines which showed significant superiority over base population for floral, foliar, corm and quality attributes and thus can be harnessed for commercial exploitation for enhancement in factor productivity per unit area.

The effect of packaging films on post-harvest life span of tomato in relation to their effect on the activities of potential cell wall hydrolyzing enzymes were investigated. Tomato cv. ‘Punjab Upma’ and ‘Punjab Ratta’ picked at pink stage were placed in open trays, high density polyethylene (HDPE)-, low density polyethylene (LDPE)- and polypropylene (PP)-bags and stored under ambient conditions till their edible state. Irrespective of the variety, there was enhancement in the activities of cell wall hydrolyzing enzymes i.e. polygalacturonase, pectin methylesterase, cellulase and β-galactosidase. Further, there was decrease in firmness with increase in storage period. However, less changes were noticed in tomatoes packaged in polythene bags in comparison to those kept in open trays. Tomato cv. ‘Punjab Ratta’ displayed slow increase in the activities of cell wall hydrolases and less decrease in firmness as compared to cv. ‘Punjab Upma’. In both the varieties, LDPE packaging showed slowest changes in enzymatic activities and firmness and were efficient in enhancing the shelf life of tomatoes.

Current study was designed to evaluate the antifertility effects of nifedipine, a pharmaceutical medicament for high blood pressure. Mature and healthy male lesser Bandicoot rats, Bandicota bengalensis Gray and Hardwicke, were fed on bait (cracked wheat, powdered sugar, groundnut oil 98:2:2) containing 0.1 and 0.05% nifedipine for 12 days in no-choice feeding test to record antifertility effects of nifedipine. The factors studied were the effect on weight of reproductive organs, sperm parameters in cauda epididymal fluid, breeding performance and histomorphology of testis. Nifedipine treatment significantly (P <0.05) reduced the weight of seminal vesicles and prostate gland in treated groups as compared to untreated group. Sperm motility, live sperm count, sperm density and sperm morphology differed significantly between untreated and treated groups. The breeding performance of treated male rats was found reduced by 40–60% as compared to untreated ones. A significant effect of nifedipine treatment was observed on the number of germinal cells in seminiferous tubules. The study indicates the effect of nifedipine on fertility of male rats.

Trichoderma species are commonly used as biological control agents against phytopathogenic fungi and some of its strains are able to produce metabolites that enhance plant growth. In current study the elite rice germplasm population was used for the assessment of root pulling strength (RPS). RSP showed positive correlation with root length and other root parameters. On the basis of RSP, 10 lines each with higher root pulling strength (HRPS) and minimum root pulling strength (MRPS) were selected to check the effect of different Trichoderma spp. on root traits by seed biopriming. RPS varied from 21.5 for rice genotype ‘SLO-16’ to 40 for ‘Cross 116’ and ‘Bhata Phool’. Greater RPS reflected dense root system or greater root length/volume. This analysis revealed that the response of Trichoderma spp. varied with different rice cultivars. Roots were analyzed using Epson perfection v700/v750 3.81 version scanner with Win Rhizo Reg software. All the isolates of IRRI showed positive response on increase in root length. The growth was enhanced in presence of rhizosphere-competent endophytic strains of Trichoderma, and these characteristics were strain-specific and not characteristic for species. These endophytic plant symbionts can be widely used as seed treatment to control diseases and enhance plant growth and yield.